Two South Carolina Cities Receive Federal Funding for Environmental Cleanup Projects

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Two South Carolina brownfields will receive funding for environmental remediation projects, announced the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s today.

The cities of Camden and Easley are each recipients of $300,000 Brownfield Assessment and Cleanup Grants that are issued by the federal government each year. These grants help local governments and stakeholders safely redevelop unused properties, that are contaminated or polluted, into community assets that attract economic growth and opportunity. Camden and Easley are two of 149 locations the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) selected to receive the funding this year.

“We are excited to receive the news of the grant awards,” said Robert Hodges, DHEC Manager of Brownfields and Dry Cleaning Programs. “Cleaning up and reinvesting in Brownfields properties increases local tax bases and nearby property values, facilitates job growth, takes development pressure off undeveloped, green properties, and both improves and protects the environment. These communities have strong potential for attractive redevelopment and business opportunities. The money provided by these grants, along with the work that will be done under the Federal and State Brownfields Programs, serves as a foundation to generate momentum for revitalization of these beautiful communities.”

The City of Camden’s $300,000 grant will be used for environmental site assessments, the development of cleanup plans and community involvement activities. The site includes part of the city’s downtown district.

The City of Easley also will use its $300,000 grant for environmental site assessments and the development of cleanup plans for a site in the Downtown Easley area. The funding is allocated for planning and design sessions and community outreach activities, as well.

“We are targeting these funds to areas that need them the most,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “Approximately 40 percent of the selected recipients are receiving Brownfields grants for the first time, which means we are reaching areas that may have previously been neglected.”

The EPA estimates more than 450,000 brownfield sites exist in the country today, and through the federal Brownfields Program, more than 30,000 of those properties have been assessed and 86,000 acres of idle land have been redeveloped for productive use. Learn more at www.epa.gov/brownfields.

DHEC administers multiple environmental cleanup programs, including the statewide Brownfield Voluntary Cleanup Program, which assists developers in revitalizing South Carolina brownfields. Learn more at www.scdhec.gov.

For more information or to schedule an interview with one of DHEC personnel, please contact Media Relations at media@dhec.sc.gov or call (803) 898-7769.